Who is James Gerrans? MasterChef 2018 contestant from Oxford who is a black belt in judo

The wine shop worker wowed judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with his pan-roasted Cod

By Kathy Giddins

12th March 2018, 8:45 pm

Updated: 12th March 2018, 8:46 pm

MASTERCHEF contestant James Gerrans cooked up a storm on last night's episode of the show.

Here's all you need to know about the amateur cook set to go far in the competition...

BBC

James Gerrans from Oxford hopes to cook his way to the final of Masterchef

Who is James Gerrans?

James Gerrans, 25, is an aspiring chef from Oxford.

He currently works in a wine shop and is also a black belt in judo.

For the first episode of the new series of Masterchef he served up a decadent dish of pan-roasted cod on a bed of leeks, with a purple cauliflower puree.

Judge Greg Wallace heartily approved of the effort saying, “James looks like he could have the makings of a very, very good cook indeed."

How did he send Twitter into meltdown?

Despite his culinary talents James's kitchen habits caused a bit of a stir on Twitter.

Whilst cooking his puree he did what is known as "double dipping" when he licked his spoon and then put it back in the sauce.

Twitter user Ibrahim Banks was aghast and posted, "James on Masterchef just mixed his sauce with a spoon, put the spoon in his mouth to taste and then put the spoon BACK into the the bowl of sauce!. Disgusting."